Unless they really, really, really surprise us, Richie has not been involved in the writing and recording of the Forever album.

I doubt they'd reunite with Richie, claim "yeah now the real deal for this band is back"... and still be able to properly sell that album.

It'd be after the promo and album cycle. Still, it seems really weird to insist "who knows, the door's open" when he's obviously eager to come back.